Glossary
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TermDefinition
- General Nautical Terminology Bow Spring
A mooring line that runs diagonally from the bow of a vessel to a fixed point on a dock, used to control forward and backward movement while...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology BowspritA spar projecting from the bow used to attach the tack of some headsails, particularly asymmetric spinnakers
- Phonetic Alphabet, Signals & Communication Bravo
Pronounced: BRAH-voh
The term for the letter B in the NATO Phonetic Alphabet.
- General Nautical Terminology BreakwaterA structure constructed on a coast as part of a coastal defense system or to protect an anchorage from the effects of weather and longshore drift.
- General Nautical Terminology BroachWhen a sailing vessel loses control of its motion and is forced into a sudden sharp turn, often heeling heavily and in smaller vessels sometimes... More Details
- General Nautical Terminology Broad Reach
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A point of sail where the wind comes from behind the beam of the boat, typically at an angle of 90 to 160 degrees relative to the vessel's... - General Nautical Terminology Bruce Anchor
A type of claw-shaped anchor designed to provide strong holding power in a variety of seabed conditions.

The Bruce anchor, also known as...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation BTW
The direction from a vessel's current position to a predetermined navigational point or waypoint.
In marine navigation, Bearing to Waypoint is...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology BulkheadAn upright wall within the hull of a ship. Particularly a watertight, load-bearing wall.
- General Nautical Terminology BungSoftwood device for plugging holes in vessel or failed seacocks.
- General Nautical Terminology Bunk
A built-in bed or sleeping berth on a boat or ship, typically compact and designed to maximise space efficiency.
A bunk is a fundamental...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Buoy
A floating device anchored at a specific location in a body of water, used as a navigational aid, marker, or warning signal for vessels.
A...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Safety Buoyancy Aid
A personal flotation device designed to assist a person in staying afloat in water, typically used in recreational boating or water sports.
A...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Safety Buoyant Smoke Flare
A floating pyrotechnic device that emits dense, orange coloured smoke to signal distress or indicate position at sea.
A buoyant smoke flare...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology BurgeeA triangular flag worn at the masthead
- Did you know?, Nautical Saying By and Large
“By and large”—another classic sailing phrase that’s drifted into everyday English. Here’s the nautical story behind it:
⚓ Nautical Origin of...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Parts of a Boat Cabin
An enclosed space on a boat or ship that provides shelter and accommodation for passengers or crew.
A cabin on a boat or ship is a designated...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Cable
Unit of measure (distance)
A cable is a unit of distance traditionally used to measure short distances at sea. It is generally considered...
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- Navigation CADET
The CADET mnemonic can help remember the corrections needed when converting between True North and Compass North bearings. It assists in...
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